Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: Pablo J Sánchez, MD (Fellow: Monica Ardura, DO)
Department: Pediatrics (Divisions of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Neonatology)
Room number: E3.508
Mail Code: 9063
Phone number: 214-648-3753
E-mail: Pablo.sanchez@utsouthwestern.edu

Project I title: Influenza in Children

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 022006-042

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): N/A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): patient-based

Brief Description of Project: Influenza infection in children can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. Influenza infection has been associated with encephalopathy and encephalitis as well as liver dysfunction in pediatric patients. Children with influenza infection are susceptible to bacterial superinfections, particularly with Staphylococcus aureus, many of which are now resistant to methicillin (MRSA). We plan to perform a retrospective cohort study of all cases of influenza at Children's Medical Center Dallas and review the clinical and laboratory features, as well as mortality associated with this infection. The major focus of this review will be to describe the bacterial superinfections in children hospitalized with influenza.

Project II title: Hepatic Dysfunction during Acute Influenza Infection in Children

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 022006-042

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): N/A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): patient-based

Brief Description of Project: Influenza infection in children can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. Influenza infection has been associated with liver dysfunction in pediatric patients, especially among children with severe infection involving the central nervous system. The frequency of hepatic dysfunction among hospitalized children with influenza has not been well documented. We plan to perform a retrospective cohort study of all cases of influenza at Children's Medical Center Dallas from 9/03 through this 2008 influenza season and review the clinical and laboratory features, and in particular, liver function tests. The major focus of this review will be to determine the frequency of liver dysfunction among children hospitalized with acute influenza.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Elaine Duryea (Sanchez PJ, Sheffield J, Jackson G, Wendel G. McElwee B, Boney L, Engle W, Stehel E). Maternal Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection and Vertical Transmission of Cytomegalovirus (CMV). 45th Medical Student Research Forum, UT Southwestern Medical Center, January 16, 2007 (poster presentation), and Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Toronto, 2007 (poster presentation).

Yin Chang, Carlos de Oliveira (Roberto Santos, MD). Once Daily Dosing of Gentamicin Among Preterm Neonates (? 34 weeks) and the Effect of Prenatal Exposure to Steroid on Gentamicin Clearance, 46th Medical Student Research Forum, UT Southwestern Medical Center, January 22, 2008 (poster presentation), and Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2008 (poster presentation).